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Introduction to K-9 Search and
Rescue Team, Inc. Standards
Adopted - 9 January 2000
The K-9 Search and Rescue Team has
implemented the following standards in an attempt to enhance
their professionalism and response capability. The sole purpose
of standards is to establish criteria by which one can judge
their performance and improve. The standards are not intended
to intimidate but rather provide consistent objectives for all.
K-9 strives to provide the best emergency service possible;
these standards provide goals toward the end; “That Others May
Live”.
K-9 Search and Rescue Team uses
the German Shepherd Dog exclusively. A number of factors, both
positive and negative, play into this decision.
1.
K-9
Search and Rescue was a member of the American Rescue Dog
Association for many years. The ARDA accepts only German
Shepherd Dogs (Page 26, Search and Rescue Dogs Training
Methods). K-9 is therefore familiar with the German Shepherd
Dog as a breed.
2.
Short-coated breeds may have difficulty in the extreme
temperature fluctuations in our response area. Longhaired
breeds may have more difficulty in the heat and with matting and
plant seeds. We work from the southwestern desert to the
14,000-foot environment.
3.
Short nosed breeds may lack the ability to do the necessary
scent work.
4.
Some
sporting breeds are selected for their gaming or “crittering”.
Excessive interest in sporting distracts from search work.
5.
Some
breeds are bred for livestock work. They may be distracted by
domestic animals in the search area.
6.
German Shepherd Dogs are accepted by the public and civil
authority as a working breed.
7.
A
single breed within a team presents a more professional
appearance.
8.
German Shepherd Dogs have a double coat that provides
environmental protection
9.
German Shepherd Dogs are large and strong enough to work all our
response terrain and not too large to load and haul in multiple
transport vehicles.
10.
German Shepherd Dogs have the measured intelligence of an
average fourteen-year-old human. Therefore, they can be trained
for all facets of search work, and learn quickly. They bond to
the handler readily and strive to please.
11.
Early research has been reaffirmed recently in Holland as to the
German Shepherd Dogs’ scent discrimination ability. Of the dog
breeds tested in Holland, the German Shepherd Dog was the most
consistent, reliable and astute.
12.
The
German Shepherd Dog does have some significant health problems
at our response elevations. Therefore, the Team recommends very
careful puppy selection from imported genetic lines.
Birtwistle, D. (1998) in
his “About the Breed” reports the German Shepherd Dog is:
-
Highly active indoors
-
Highly active outdoors
-
Highly vigorous and energetic
-
Highly consistent in behavior
-
Moderately dominant to
familiar people
-
Highly emotionally stable
-
Highly sociable with children
-
High rate of learning
-
High problem solving ability
Therefore, the Team has decided to
use only the German Shepherd Dog as a response dog. The Team
recognizes that other breeds do search work well.
K-9 Search and Rescue Team have
herein established standards for all facets of their operation:
base camp, navigator, and handler. All Team members that want
to respond with the Team to any public function will be required
to meet the introduction standard thereby insuring at least some
knowledge of K-9 operation. All Team members, regardless of
type of membership, are expected to strive toward level one in
their chosen specialty tract.
K-9 has adopted NASAR’S
Standards
as
the K-9 SEARCH & RESCUE TEAM, INC.
minimum standards.
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